Petition for Halls Head College girls to be allowed to wear shorts

A MOTHER has started a petition for girls attending Halls Head College who would like to wear shorts.

Rachel Foy was prompted to start the change.org petition because she believes it is sexist to enforce a no shorts rule.

Halls Head College introduced its uniform policy in 2015.

They announced on June 14, that it would be strictly enforced from last week.

Ms Foy has a child at the school, has friends whose children attend, and her daughter would be attending the school in 2018.

“I think (the policy) is very sexist, especially because the boys are allowed to wear shorts, so why can’t the girls?” she said.

“My daughter doesn’t really wear skirts and when they start high school, they still want to run and play.”

Ms Foy’s petition had more than 100 supporters last week and she plans to present it to the school.

“I have messaged the school about this issue,” she said.

“They haven’t replied to me and they normally reply quickly.

“I think they are trying to be more like a private school.”

Ms Foy said she had spoken to at least 200 other parents online who agreed with her stance.

“If (the female students) don’t feel comfortable, they should be free to wear shorts,” she said.

“There should be a set uniform for both sexes.

“It is a big deal because it is sexist.

“Even in the workplace, they don’t say girls have to wear skirts.”

A Halls Head College spokeswoman said the school was a community working together to raise standards.

“During our consultation around a modified dress code in 2013 and 2014, the community raised concerns about the inappropriate length of the shorts and the varied types that students were wearing,” she said.

“The final decision, which was by a clear majority and ratified by the College Board, was that the shorts did not set the standard of dress we wanted for our college.

“We welcome all views and are always open to consider them.

“All of our community sign an agreement to abide by our College Dress Code.

“It is one aspect only of how we build pride and keep our students safe.”